---
title: "Nottingham Forest: Lewis O’Brien eyeing loan exit"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/lewis-o-brien-latest-transfer-rumours-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Chloe Chadwick"
section: "Nottingham Forest News"
published: "2023-02-20T12:45:45Z"
modified: "2023-02-20T12:45:45Z"
---

# Nottingham Forest: Lewis O’Brien eyeing loan exit

**[Nottingham Forest](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/nottingham-forest-news/) midfielder Lewis O’Brien could be set to leave on loan amid interest from the MLS, according to reports in the last 48 hours.**

### The Lowdown: Out of favour

The [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) playmaker made the move to The City Ground from Huddersfield Town [last summer](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/lewis-obrien/transfers/spieler/560694) but has fallen out of favour after scoring just [one](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/lewis-obrien/leistungsdatentrainer/spieler/560694/plus/0/trainer_id/37574) goal in 17 appearances under [Steve Cooper](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/steve-cooper/).

The 24-year-old came close to joining Blackburn Rovers in January but the EFL [blocked](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-blackburn-rovers-move-for-lewis-obrien-collapsed-due-to-efl-technicality/) the move due to the relevant paperwork not being completed by the deadline, despite an appeal.

The Reds star was therefore left out of the 25-man squad [submitted](https://theathletic.com/4151571/2023/02/02/nottingham-forest-squad-obrien-cook-richards/) for the second half of the season, with [reports](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/21356166/nottingham-forest-mls-move-england/) since suggesting that he’s now looking to seal a temporary exit.

### The Latest: O’Brien attracting interest

According to [The Sun](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/21433982/nottingham-forest-lewis-obrien-mls-transfer-news/), O’Brien is being targeted by MLS clubs New York City, Columbus Crew and Atlanta United, who all ‘want’ the Forest ace.

The Colchester-born talent is ‘waiting to speak’ to the trio of potential suitors, and with the American transfer window still open, the Midlands outfit could ‘heavily fund’ a loan deal.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”410524″\]

### The Verdict: Best for both parties

O’Brien has been [labelled](https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/exceptional-huddersfield-town-midfielder-praised-23430498) an ‘exceptional’ player by his former Huddersfield manager Carlos Corberan, but Forest letting him leave would be the best outcome for both parties.

The [Palm Sports Management](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/lewis-obrien/profil/spieler/560694) client has only made six league starts all season and was averaging just 0.5 shots and 0.4 interceptions per game prior to his absence, showing that he wasn’t making a significant enough impact ([WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/366083/History/Lewis-O-Brien)).

Cooper omitted the 5 foot 8 player from the match-day squad for nine of his side’s 24 top-flight outings this term and was on the bench for two of them, showing how far down the pecking order he is ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/lewis-obrien/leistungsdaten/spieler/560694)).

Forest could do with shortening their numbers and O’Brien will be in desperate need of regular game time so sanctioning an exit would be completely the right decision.

\[freshpress-poll id=”425622″\]